News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 21, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  John LaRocque, Public Works Board, 360-725-5010

State Public Works Board to Recommend Record Number of Projects to Legislature, Create Thousands of New Jobs

Board Responds to Gov. Gary Locke’s Call for Capital Investment

Gov. Gary Locke today praised the state Public Works Board for its vote this week to recommend that the 2004 Legislature approve $239.8 million in loans to finance 79 infrastructure improvement projects around the state. It is the single largest dollar amount recommended by the board in its 19 years of service – a response to the governor’s plan to spur the economy and create jobs through capital investments.

The local governments affected by the recommended projects are expected to add another $220.5 million, bringing the total capital investment to more than $460.3 million. The board estimates that the total economic activity generated by these investments will exceed $1 billion and create approximately 10,500 jobs in Washington state.

“We must continue to focus on job creation in these tough economic times,” Locke said. “I applaud the Public Works Board’s aggressive recommendation to the Legislature. These projects will create thousands of family-wage jobs all across our state.”

Glenn Olson, chair of the Public Works Board and budget director for Clark County, said the board has high standards for selecting projects, but that it’s getting more difficult to select projects from the growing pool of high-quality applications.

“We favor jurisdictions that manage their infrastructure systems well, and we require that the local governments have comprehensive capital facilities plans,” Olson said.

The Public Works Board is required to submit a project list to the Legislature each year. The Legislature created the Public Works Assistance Account in 1985 to assist local governments and special purpose districts with financing the repair, replacement or improvement of bridges, roads, water and sewer systems, and solid waste and recycling facilities.

The revenue source for the account includes utility and sales taxes on water, sewer and garbage service, and a portion of the real estate excise tax. The account also receives revenue from repayments from past loans.

Locke has also instructed the Public Works Board to undertake a comprehensive assessment of its mission, programs and procedures as part of his Priorities of Government initiative. The governor wants to ensure that the board will continue to help counties, cities and special purpose districts throughout the state meet the challenges of delivering quality services to Washington citizens. The governor has asked for the board’s assessment by July 2004.

For a complete list of the board’s recommended projects, visit www.pwb.wa.gov.

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Related links: www.governor.wa.gov



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